Living separate lives is fine in a marriage IF you both agree to it.

When a partner’s betrayed you, focus on whether you still want the union, not on the affair person.

Feeding an obsession can become unhealthy instead of fun.

When a relationship’s going sour but there’s still a glimmer of hope, try a break instead of a blow-up.

Personal counselling can help you through a prolonged break-up.

If determined to stay in a relationship, stand up for yourself in every way possible.

Try some new get-together patterns at Christmas that might lighten old family divisions.

Difficult neighbour-relations are extremely hard to resolve, but other open-minded neighbours may help if asked.

If you accept second-class status, you won’t change what’s causing it or feel equal in your relationship.

Learn acceptable ways to not be reminded of your ex through your social media.

Choose the best timing for a proposal, speak the right words, and it’ll be memorable.

Putting up with workplace harassment only encourages more of it.

Get counselling to try to create compromises with a controlling partner and/or weigh your options.

If a tell-all talker finds you, understand that he/she thinks it’s a discussion, but you can leave.

Help a bride-to-be understand that she’s neglecting your friendship.

A pregnancy “during a break” leads to serious decisions about whether to stay with the baby’s father.

Accepting a parent’s financial support calls for honesty and respect from the adult child.

Stay supportive of a sister, but don’t criticize her marriage unless she first talks of problems.

Major family tensions call for a slow, steady approach, helped by professional guidance.

Probing a persistently unsettling family relationship requires professional therapy.

Try to create a respectful bridge between your new life together and your partner’s long-time friends.

If a friend’s “dramatic” be extra thoughtful during their worst stress.

Instead of waiting for a death blow, start discussing your marriage’s unhealthy state.

If you’re “invisible” in a relationship, the reason’s rarely acceptable.

Hiding from people who care about you leaves you suffering a tragedy alone.

Don’t let a renovation deconstruct whatever caused you to love one another.

Dwelling on what-ifs doesn’t get you the answers possible from direct questions or counselling.

When you have lingering distrust, be clear what behaviour you can or cannot accept from a partner.

Any age can be a turning point for improving energy and well-being.

Don’t un-friend an ex’es innocent relatives/friends, except for strong reasons.

Confront a critical relative directly before involving other family members.

Knowing a vulnerable person’s at risk of abuse means a duty to report it.

Bizarre behaviour with mood swings may have medical and/or psychological causes that should be checked.

Forgiving someone saves you from being a victim and hanging onto anger.

When a separated ex tries to maintain control, be pro-active about finding a legal plan to end it.

Lying is the slippery slope that easily plummets a relationship to its end.

The partner with the dysfunctional parent should try to set limits, with his/her partner’s support.

Using someone’s feelings as a “stepping stone” in your life often brings more problems, not solutions.

Workplace complaints to management require evidence, not just suspicions and guessing.

Responding to a partner’s every “need,” can lead to unreasonable demands.

Grief can live on through attachment to lost love.

When distance and unresolved differences outweigh loving feelings, the relationship’s reached a natural end.

Serial cheaters rarely change without a strong commitment plus ongoing therapy.

In truly toxic relationships, protect your own and your family’s well-being, and set clear boundaries.

If family peace is your goal, understand another’s insecurity and apologize for any offences.

To have a mature relationship, a “mama’s boy” must make his partner become his priority.

Family harmony’s more reachable if you show welcome to the newcomers.

Give a good, close relationship up to a year before insisting on discussing where it’s going.

Thanksgiving is for appreciation of who we are and what we have, not for judging.

A vulnerable teenager needs parents’ guidance to avoid too-complex relationships.